North korea: North Korea appears to be releasing water from a dam near the inter-Korean border without giving prior notice, the environment ministry said Friday. The ministry indicated that satellite imagery from around noon showed the Imjin River south of the Hwanggang Dam in North Korea had widened. The water level at Pilseung Bridge, the northernmost point of the Imjin River in South Korea, rose to 70 centimeters as of 7:20 p.m., up from 49 cm three hours earlier.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a water level of 1 meter triggers the evacuation of visitors in the river area. North Korea's unannounced water releases during the monsoon season have historically threatened the safety of residents in South Korea's border areas. In September 2009, one such discharge resulted in six South Koreans being killed or missing. The following month, North Korea agreed to provide prior notice before discharging water, and sent such notices intermittently in 2010 and 2013, but stopped afterward.

Last month, South Korea renewed its call for North Korea to provide prior notice before releasing water. The recent lack of communication has reignited concerns over safety and the potential impact on border communities in South Korea.